Legends of Boxing

Throughout history, boxing has had many brilliantly talented and charismatic fighters. In order to be the best, countless hours are dedicated to training their minds and their bodies for the brutality of the sport.

We take a look at the ten most legendary boxers ever to step into the ring.
 

10. Riddick Bowe

Bowe was an incredibly talented fighter who, after becoming the heavyweight champion in 1992, was expected to rule the division after Mike Tyson’s exit. After vacating his title in protest, he retired from the sport in 1996 after two brutal fights with Andrew Golota.
 

9. Willie Pep

Pep is recognised as a true legend of the sport. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990, he boxed from 1940 until 1966 which is an incredible career, even for modern boxers. With 229 wins, he held the title twice in 1947 and 1950 and is thus considered to be one of the best boxers of the 20^th century.
 

8. Manny Pacquiao

Now a politician and senator in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao boasts an incredible record in the ring. Having held eleven world titles, he is the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. He was also named a ‘Fighter of the Decade’ for the 2000’s by the Boxing Writers Association.
 

7. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

As notorious outside of the ring as he is inside of it, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is well-known as a celebrity boxer. He also backs up all his bravado by being currently undefeated as a professional and a five-weight division world champion.
 

6. Sugar Ray Robinson

Widely considered as one of the best fighters ever, Robinson held the world welterweight title for 5 years and won the middleweight title in 1951. Flamboyant to the extreme, fighters like Sugar Ray paved the way for modern celebrity boxers like Floyd Mayweather Jr.
 


 

5. Rocky Marciano

Opinions on Rocky Marciano are heavily divided. Fans will point to his knockout-to-win percentage of 87.75% and his undefeated career as proof of his greatness. Detractors will claim that he fought in a very weak heavyweight division making him look better than he was. Regardless, his aggressive fighting style and iron chin are what he’s best remembered for (and the movies).
 

4. Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey was one of America’s most popular boxers and was famous for setting attendance records at his fights. He was heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926 and is remembered through the iconic “Dempsey Roll”; a boxing technique named after him which was often employed by Mike Tyson to devastating effect.
 

3. Julio Cesar Chavez

Mexico has a proud tradition of producing tough and entertaining boxers. Julio Cesar Chavez just so happens to be the best of them. Having become a six-time world champion in three weight divisions, he is well known for his brutal body punching and explosive power. His 1992 fight vs. Hector Camacho is considered one of his career highlights.
 

2. Mike Tyson

Coming in at number two, Mike Tyson, in his prime, was likely the most complete and intimidating boxer to ever enter the ring. Becoming the heavyweight champion at the age of 20, he defeated James Smith and Tony Tucker to grab the WBA and IBF Heavyweight titles making him the undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world. In fact, he may even have been a better boxer than the number one on our list…
 

1. Muhammad Ali

If this list showed the “top 10 best boxers ever”, Ali may have been topped by Tyson, but no – we’re talking about legends here and Muhammad Ali takes top spot. At 22 he defeated Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion. Ali was not only important as a fighter but in the history of the black rights movement of which he was a supporter and example of what could be achieved.
 

Bet on boxing with Betway

Boxing has always been a great sport for sheer excitement, drama and sports betting. Start betting on all the upcoming bouts at Betway Ghana and you may witness the rise of new legends as they enter the ring.

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